Surviving Prophesy: The Immortals

by Frances Howitt

  Megan however was overjoyed. She could feel Zach’s mind was more active now even in his sleep. She put the plate down on the worktop near where Schubert sat on the spare bed. She hugged Julius and then Schubert, kissing both on the cheek. ‘Thank you for restoring him,’ she said knowing they shared her relief and joy.

  15

  Over the next few days, the time Zach spent awake slowly lengthened and his strength improved. Schubert and Julius gave him more blood, albeit smaller amounts, twice more and that speeded up his healing markedly. His skin lost the ashen tone and his mottled bruises faded. His muscles slowly began to knit as did his broken bones. According to the medics he was mending astonishingly quickly. As soon as he felt able to stay awake for hours at a time, he accepted the gift of a wheeled chair. Schubert and Julius had already taken over the main guarding duty during class hours so his classmates could resume their lessons. It was when the opportunity for an attack was greatly reduced anyway, but now Schubert and Julius accompanied Zach to a few of his classes. It had taken a bit of persuasion to encourage the teacher to continue a weapons history class with three immortals listening. One of the students had gone up to Schubert and asked if he was the Schubert mentioned as being one of the founding fathers of the school. There was even a statue of Schubert in one of the courtyards, much to his dismay. Having someone present at the time history was being written was understandably disconcerting for the teacher. The lesson had turned into a trip down memory lane for Schubert who was asked instead to talk about the time of the foundation and what the original goals for the school had been six hundred years ago. Once persuaded to open up, Schubert talked fondly of the time and the foibles of the local rulers and other characters mentioned only as dry facts in the textbooks. Schubert had known many influential people personally, immortals enjoying a revered status back then. Everyone had been hooked on his every word. He’d been able to correct some misconceptions and also give some background to the reasons behind some of the wars of the time and also long running family vendettas.

  ‘How old are you? I believe you founded this school just over six hundred years ago. How old were you then?’

  ‘I was only about twenty at the time. Some friends and I were looking for somewhere that taught military skills, and there wasn’t anywhere any good nearby. The nearest was Buckthorn, over seventy miles away. We’d heard many rumours of unrest and potential war threatening and wanted to be ready for it. So we found a retired sergeant and setup a class in an old barn. Word spread and we were soon inundated with requests to take students, so we found another teacher and a better set of buildings. So from humble beginnings, that’s how Sunnydale started.’

  ‘Wizard Megan tells us immortals don’t actually live forever, although six hundred and twenty odd years is already astonishing. How long do immortals live?’

  ‘Accidents and illness carry us off just the same as anyone else. I’ve been lucky in that respect. I heard someone got to nine hundred, but they were daft in the head towards the end so I cannot be sure how old they truly were. But to be honest, I don’t really know; it seems to vary considerably. Mostly, I suspect, there comes a time when an immortal has had enough of the world. Knowing everyone you meet is going to die, in what for you, is just a few short years, gets very depressing. I’ve watched so many dear friends grow old and die; then the children I’ve watched as babies; and their children after them. People resent us more than animus or even wizards, yet living a long time is all we can do with our magic. I’d love to be able to change form and soar as a bird, or do the most basic of spells, yet I cannot. I have no special ability beyond a mortal, yet people hate us. An animus might have a comparatively shorter lifespan, but they can live a fuller life in the time they have.’ He shrugged and left the class.

  He didn’t want anyone to ask him about Zach and Megan. Having heard Zach had let his mind be linked to hers, he doubted that he would survive her death, given the way he already felt about her. He hoped they would have immortal children; that would give Zach a reason to carry on living and keep him focussed beyond Megan’s life. Schubert had lost his first wife and son four hundred years ago and he both still missed her and felt pain at her death. The bigots who’d come to his house had deliberately timed their attack when they knew he was away. Finding his family murdered and left for the crows still plagued his dreams and it had ripped out his heart. He’d had to dig graves and bury his beloved wife and six year old son. It had taken many years before he would trust another’s kindness or allow someone in enough to consider them a friend. He glanced at Yolanda chatting and flirting with one of the young animus men. He’d found her, so many years ago, as a traumatised and homeless teenager. Knowing at a glance she was immortal, he’d taken her in and taught her about the world. He’d hoped that in time, she might turn to him and they might ease each other’s loneliness. But it had never truly been a partnership of attraction; she often acted as though he was her father rather than a lover and given their age difference it was hardly surprising. She certainly relied on him to look after her. He now knew it was probably due to the spell that had been cast before he met her, keeping her in a child’s body. Watching her now, he knew that spell had certainly affected her emotions and mind. Megan had released her from the spell and Yolanda had been slowly changing physically. She now actually looked like a woman, and very disconcerting a change it was. He couldn’t blame her for wanting to experiment sexually now she’d been awakened; he just wished she’d either turn to him or flirt out of his sight!

  ‘Are you alright Schubert?’ Megan asked as he entered Zach’s room.

  ‘Yes,’ he said then shrugged. ‘I’ve just been reminded of how ancient I am. The history teacher asked how old I was and how far back could I remember things. Did you know there’s a statue of me in the courtyard that’s crumbling to dust?’

  ‘You don’t look ancient to me,’ Megan said stoutly and glanced over him. ‘You’re fit and strong. Numbering the passage of time isn’t important Schubert and has no relevance to you.’

  ‘It does to normal people. Megan, you are truly young and young people never think about how they’ll feel when they grow old. Sorry, I feel old today. Ignore me.’

  ‘What else has happened?’ she asked, watching him as he slumped on the spare bed.

  ‘Yolanda has finally noticed men,’ he said, his lips twisting. ‘She’s flirting outrageously with the animus warriors. They don’t know how to take it, especially with me around.’

  ‘How do you feel about it, more to the point?’

  ‘Annoyed I suppose. She treats me as though I’m her father, always there to rescue her. If she’s going to flirt with other men, why cling to me?’

  ‘Oh Schubert, I’m sorry.’ She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him for a change. ‘You are her safety net while she tries out her new wings. She’s been out in the big wide world alone and it’s bitten her badly. You are the only one she trusts.’

  ‘I suppose I know this,’ he said sighing heavily.

  ‘She also knows you are the one person who understands what she’s been through and might be prepared to give her the time she needs. She’s acting like a teenager and her hormones really are likely to be swinging her around wildly. Don’t do anything rash or that she won’t be able to forgive you for.’

  ‘Forgive me for? What do you mean?’

  ‘You must have noticed the animus women flirting with you?’ Megan asked and giggled at his surprise. ‘I thought you noticed everything around you.’

  ‘Clearly I don’t,’ he admitted. ‘Are you sure of this?’ She nodded, amused by his reaction. ‘Why would they be interested in me?’ Schubert straightened in response to the assessing glance she passed over him. She’d never done that before and he found he was holding his breath waiting for her verdict.

  ‘If I was single, I’d ask you out,’ she told him. ‘You certainly don’t make me think of my father,’ she added with a grin.

  ‘Thank you Megan. You’re alw
ays able to make me smile. When you’re not scaring me to death,’ he added ruefully. ‘Yes. If you were single, I’d accept,’ he told her and noticed her eyes widen in surprise. ‘Now, I want to do something for you.’ Her head tilted to one side, so he ploughed on. ‘You’re still not recovered from saving Zach. Don’t try and tell me you are, because I can tell. Will you accept some blood?’

  ‘Schubert, I’ll be fine without it, you know. I appreciate it’s an honour for you to offer, but I seem to change every time I have some.’

  ‘I know. Please, I want to help. I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t think it would have any effect at all on you. Little mule, immortal blood truly works wonders on you, we’ve all seen it.’ He got up, having noticed the familiar kit sitting on the side, and rolled up his sleeve. Carefully, he pierced his skin with the needle and watched his dark blood flow out of his body into the smaller of the two glass bottles.

  ‘Schubert, I don’t know what to say,’ she whispered.

  ‘You could say thank you,’ he said, with a raised brow.

  ‘You’ve given me so much,’ she said, watching as he carefully pressed the needle into her own arm. ‘Thank you seems a little inadequate. But I’m scared. Your blood seems to affect me more than anyone else’s.’

  ‘One positive side effect of being ancient, I suppose,’ he told her. ‘Don’t be scared little one. All the changes I’ve seen have been for the better.’

  ‘I know you’re right. I can see now. It took quite a few unsettling steps in between, but that is a small price to pay for such a fantastic change. Thank you Schubert,’ she added sincerely.

  ‘Don’t I get a kiss?’ he asked and noticed her surprise. ‘Well, I never hear the end of the kiss you shared with Julius. He talks about it all the time; I feel quite left out.’

  ‘Why would he talk about that? He knows very well it didn’t mean anything. Besides, you did say you thought Zach should have hit him. Do you want Zach to hit you?’

  ‘Not particularly, but then that’s rather beyond his capability at the moment. Julius took advantage of the situation; I wouldn’t do that.’

  ‘You just want to shut Julius up and prove a point?’ She shook her head; men! ‘You do know you sound like a teenager comparing conquests?’

  ‘I shall tell Julius that,’ he grinned cheerfully. How could Julius possibly think he would win on that score; Schubert was three hundred years older than him. ‘So, aside from this attack, how has it been here? Have you both learned some useful skills?’

  ‘Yes, we’ve learned many things actually. For me it’s mainly been how to design and craft spells. I haven’t yet done anything with physical weapons. Zach has been learning the bow, and better sword techniques. I thought you said immortals don’t have any appreciable strength and speed advantage over mortals?’

  ‘Well, that isn’t completely accurate. We do have some advantage; why?’

  ‘Zach’s always paired with an animus warrior for his workouts. I’ve never seen the contests but he always comes back buzzing. I’d have thought, from what you said, he’d be slower and less strong than one of them.’

  ‘I haven’t seen such a pairing for decades. Zach’s young and built right to be fast and agile. An animus would stretch him but not necessarily be quicker. If he’s coming back buzzing then it’s likely to have been a very close match. I should like to see that; when he’s fully fit again of course.’

  ‘What about you? How do you fare against animus?’ she asked as Julius came in.

  ‘I’m too big to be as fast, but they soon learn it’s better to avoid trying to outmuscle me,’ he chuckled.

  ‘What’s going on? Why are you giving her blood?’ Julius asked aware it was the small bottle, so not half as much as they’d been giving Zacharias, but she’d certainly be affected.

  ‘She’s still white as a sheet,’ Schubert responded watching the last few drops sliding down the tube into her arm.

  ‘True, but your blood is very strong,’ Julius said anxiously. ‘Maybe she should have had some of mine instead?’

  ‘It’s done,’ Schubert told him, having withdrawn the needle and was busy dabbing some of her ointment on the tiny puncture. He noticed she glanced back at Zacharias, probably making sure he was not awake, then as soon as he put the ointment down, she wrapped her arms about his neck hugging him. He let his arms circle her, pulled back a little, enough to see her raised brow, and with that invitation kissed her. He could tell she was a little uncertain, but she did kiss him back and it felt good, very good. He couldn’t resist pulling her tight and deepening the kiss. But she was not his; this was wrong. He pulled away and assessed her. He was pleased to see she was breathing quickly; he’d not lost his touch then and furthermore she was not immune to him. Her fast pulse would also carry his blood around her body quickly and evenly, so the blood and therefore effect, would be spread around her body, rather than concentrating in one place. He could have scared her, or found some other way of getting her heart racing, but he enjoyed this best. It had also served to silence Julius, at least for the moment; doubtless he’d be subjected to some serious grilling on the matter, but it had been worth it.

  ‘Thank you, Schubert,’ she whispered. His eyes were darker than normal and his breathing rapid even after so brief a kiss, so this had not been casual for him either. She straightened and he immediately released her. She glanced at Julius and found him silent and wide eyed. She hastened out of the room and walked quickly to her quarters wondering why the hell she’d let him talk her into that. Schubert was a very good kisser and it was worrying to enjoy kissing someone other than her Zach.

  As she got closer to her quarters, her legs began to feel leaden and her mind to fog. She began to worry about what Schubert’s blood was going to do to her this time. Closing her bedroom door she kicked off her shoes, slid beneath the covers and was asleep in moments.

  16

  Megan woke to a knock at her door and clambered drowsily out of bed. Schubert stood there with Julius.

  ‘How are you feeling Megan?’ Schubert asked anxiously.

  ‘Ok. How long have I been asleep?’

  ‘You missed dinner last night and it’s nearly time for breakfast. There’s the bell,’ Julius added.

  ‘I’ve five minutes to get ready then,’ she told them.

  ‘We’ll wait out here,’ Schubert said immediately and closed the door again.

  Megan appreciated his tact. She didn’t need an audience as she rushed around searching for clean clothes or while she brushed her teeth. She glanced in the mirror and dragged her brush through her hair again, but it still seemed rather wild and bushy. She sighed; she hadn’t time to try and tame it. At least it wasn’t lank. She shrugged and looked again at her reflection; something was different but she wasn’t sure what. She rarely used a mirror and her sight seemed to play up each time she had immortal blood so she assumed it was her perception that was off again.

  ‘Good morning gentlemen,’ she said brightly, deciding she was now awake enough to greet them properly. She walked between the two tall men down the corridor towards the dining hall. She was aware they both kept glancing at her but they said nothing and while there were so many people all around them she couldn’t ask what they were thinking. All she cared about was that she felt strong for a change. Schubert had hoped to aid her strength and she very much felt that he’d succeeded. Schubert led her to a table near the back of the hall that was out of the light from the windows overhead. He sat with his back to the wall and gestured for her to sit opposite. She sat without a murmur even though it meant she was facing the wall and couldn’t see anyone.

  ‘You’re looking a lot better this morning Megan,’ Julius remarked.

  ‘Better?’ Brendon interjected coming to sit beside Schubert and looking her over curiously. ‘She’s glowing,’ he said, then fell silent as the servers passed laden bowls and platters up the table and they each began tucking in.

  ‘What do you mean, glowing?’ Megan asked Brendon
anxiously then glanced at Julius and Schubert in turn.

  ‘Are you pregnant?’ Brendon asked.

  Megan coughed and nearly spat out a mouthful of tea. ‘What? No.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ he enquired. ‘I’ve heard pregnant women glow.’ He glanced to Schubert and Julius for help.

  ‘Yes, but it’s not usually this obvious,’ Julius said. ‘This must be your tonic Schubert. I told you it was likely to be unnecessarily strong.’

  ‘Rubbish, she now looks like she has the strength to help Zach further. I would never suggest anything likely to harm her, you know that. Don’t stick your chin out little mule, you know I’m right. Eat, you missed dinner last night and you’re still very skinny.’

  Brendon watched in amusement as Megan scowled at Schubert whose smile only broadened as she obeyed. It was clear Schubert had pulled rank on her before and also that she trusted his judgement.

  ‘Brendon, did you partner Zach in combat lessons?’ Megan asked.

  ‘Often; why?’

  ‘Schubert and I were wondering who was fastest or strongest,’ she admitted.

  ‘Well, it depended on what type of exercise we were doing. He always got to the target first and had the strategy ones figured out quickly too. We were quite even sword fighting, but I was the better one at wrestling, once I actually got a hold of him.’

  ‘So he’s generally faster but not as strong,’ she mused eyeing Brendon. ‘That makes sense, you are bigger than him,’ she added glancing at the breadth of Brendon’s muscular shoulders in addition to his height. ‘So immortals are more similar to animus people than wizards in their capabilities.’ She slowly nodded, understanding better why the animus had been the ones Zacharias had befriended and trusted most readily and vice versa. ‘I must get to class this morning. I’ve missed too many lessons and now Zach is on the mend, I’ve no valid excuse. I’ll go see him now though,’ she added, finishing her breakfast quickly and leaving before Julius and Schubert had finished theirs. They merely waved her on.